Sounds like Phil was saying one of Michael's advantages in terms of how quickly and consistent he was able to develop his game and leadership over Kobe was that he went to college and learned a lot from Dean Smith whereas Kobe came out of high school.

"Bryant had come to rage against the idea that Howard's clownish disposition could overtake the locker room, the Lakers' culture, and had warned Howard that he would never, ever let it happen."

Also love the zinger about Kobe's first words to Michael when Phil brought him in to sit down. First thing Kobe said sitting down with Michael Jordan who Phil brought in was "You know I can beat you one on one right?"

The young mamba ladies and gents. Most other players would have probably been in awe.

"Bryant had come to rage against the idea that Howard's clownish disposition could overtake the locker room, the Lakers' culture, and had warned Howard that he would never, ever let it happen."

Do u blame Jim Buss for getting the better of the Bynum deal?
Do u blame Jim Buss for Dwight's back, the lack of continuity and Pau making himself untradeable?

And since Jim drafted Bynum, and we had two titles since then, does he get any credit?
Our fans are so disrespectful and far from grateful. Using the available info to create stories instead of the truth.

Jim's list of mistakes far outweighs his list of successes. And there's no excuse for not hiring the best man for the job because it hurts your ego / your strange hang-ups about your sister's sex life.

Jim's list of mistakes far outweighs his list of successes. And there's no excuse for not hiring the best man for the job because it hurts your ego / your strange hang-ups about your sister's sex life.

Once again, it wasn't "only" Jim's decision.

It was Jim Buss, Jerry Buss, and Mitch Kupchak that made the call.

All 3 of them decided unanimously on it. So if you want to place blame place it on all three.

They should all get equal credit and equal blame for decisions instead of Mitch getting credit for all the things we like and Jim getting the credit for all the things we hate.

"Bryant had come to rage against the idea that Howard's clownish disposition could overtake the locker room, the Lakers' culture, and had warned Howard that he would never, ever let it happen."